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The Under 16 girls host West Midlands SFA on Monday 9th of December at Stafford Town FC in an MCF fixture with a 7-00pm KO. Players should report to the ground at 6-00pm and usual dress code applies. There is an admission charge of £3 adults and £2 concessions.
Manager Kieran Newey has named the squad below
Abbie Adams
Polly Barrow
Millie Clarke
Millie Driscoll
Elise Ecclestone
Megan Gill
Harriett Grimshaw
Lily Jackson
Erin Patrick
Shannon Prince
Jessica Powis
Hannah Sparkes
Millie Smallwood
Emily Turner
Sofia Tzima
Olivia Windsor
Standby
Ebon Clarke
Katie Moran
Caitlin Hopwood
Phoebe Hopwood
Evie QuinnStaffordshire hosted Cheshire in the second round of the ESFA Inter County Cup at Stafford Town FC. Riven with injuries and missing four boys from the squad Staffordshire faced a strong Cheshire unit. The early skirmishes were equal with both teams probing and looking for weaknesses and it was Staffordshire who prevailed with a well worked goal netted by Christian Blanchette. Cheshire responded well and the game ebbed and flowe until 5 minutes from half time Oli Waddison scored a superb second goal with a side footed volley, 2-0 at half time.
Staffordshire started the second half well and knew that a third goal would ease any nerves and it duly arrived from Kyle Ashman but this spurred Cheshire into having their best spell of the game. They replied almost immediately with a well worked goal and Staffordshire looked wobbly. Minutes after the goal came the defining moment of the tie. Some really good two touch football saw the Cheshire centre forward through and clear on goal only for keeper George Hill to make a superb save to keep Staffordshire in control. From the clearence Staffordshire broke forward and only a lunging tackle which brought a free kick stopped Staffordshire from increasing their lead. The resultant free kick seemed to evade everyones attemts to get a touch on the ball but when it arrived at Christian Blanchette's feet he made no mistake to increase the lead.
Cheshire were now under severe pressure and were looking ragged and the fifth Staffordshire goal arrived with an outstanding piece of teamwork starting from their own penalty area and ending with Oli Waddison heading a peach of a cross into the net. Sam Bowater scored his first goal for the County to put the icing on the cake and give Staffordshire a well deserved victory and progress into the quarter finals.
Under 15 Team manager Neil Davies sends a brief report on last night's MCF fixture.
West Midlands U15’s 3 Staffordshire U15’s 6
This was a fantastic all round performance from the Staffs boys against a talented West Midlands side. The reigning MCS Champions blew away last year’s runners-up in an exhilarating first half, racing into a 4-0 lead with goals from Will Finlay, James Plant (2) and a penalty from Todd Alcock. In truth it could have been 7 or 8 at the interval such was the dominance of the Staffs team.
West Midlands were always going to have a spell of pressure and they cut the deficit to 4-2 before Ben Runacas scored his first goal for the County. West Midlands hit back but Will Finlay fired home after more great work by Todd Alcock to make it 6-3. Special mention to man of the match Mason Pickering who covered at left back and James Miller at Right Back. This victory laid down a marker and hopefully the boys can carry this performance into next week’s away trip to Shropshire.
Credit to every single member of the Staffordshire team who were simply brilliant on a bitterly cold night at Wolves training ground.
The Under 15 Boys travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers training ground to play West Midlands on Monday in an MCF fixture. This will be one of the key Under 15 fixtures this season as Staffordshire pipped West Midlands to the title last season,
Manager Neil Davies names the squad below for the match and players should report to the ground as near to six as possible. Usual dress code applies.
1 George Lenton Amington
2 Mason Pickering Endon High
3 Rafferty Winnal EDA
4 Alfie Clarke Friary
5 Lewis Hassall Alleynes Academy
7 James Plant Moorside
8 Sol Ashworth Endon High (Captain)
9 Will Finlay EDA
10 Todd Alcock EDA
11 Ben Herrington Cardinal Griffin
12 James Miller Trentham
14 Archie England EDA
15 Kyle Corns Codsall High
16 Ben Runacas De Ferrers Academy
17 Jack Bostock King George VI
20 George Taylor St Thomas More
The Under 18 Boys are in action at Stafford Town against Cheshire in an ESFA R2 tie KO 7-00pm. Players should report to the ground for 6-00pm and usual dress code applies. There will be a £3 admission charge for adults and £2 concessions. A win puts the boys into last 16.
Squad
1. George Hill
2. Neale Sheldon Newcastle College
3. Carter Lycett Hednesford
4. Owen Turner Hednesford
5. Josh Lewis Codsall
6. Dave Perreira Newcastle College
7. Oliver Watchorn Rice Newcastle College
8. Oliver Puttnam Newcastle College
9.Max Dixon Friary
10. Oliver Waddison Codsall
11. Jack Bowman Codsall
12 Kyle Ashman King Edward VI Stafford
14. Matt Ball Newcastle College
15. Matt Bowman Codsall
16. Alex Smith Alleynes Academy
17. Charlie Drain Hednesford
The Under 14 Boys played their first home game of the season against Worcestershire on Monday at Stafford Town FC.
The Staffordshire boys swarmed all over Warwickshire in the early stages and led after six minutes with a well taken goal. They dominated posession and Worcestershire could not get a foothold in the game. Staffordshire hit the woodwork twice and had a goal chalked off for offside and their carelessness in front of goal cost them dearly when Worcestershire equalised with their first attempt at goal.
The second half was more evenly matched but Staffordshire still had the bulk of possession and created more chances and it was no surprise when they regained the lead. They looked on course for three points until a free kick conceded five yards outside the box was beautifully struck, giving the keeper no chance, to tie the game. Staffordshire restarted and the final whistle went leaving the boys disappointed with the result but the management team relatively happy with the performance. West Midlands Awya before a home tie in the second round of the ESFA cup against South Yorkshire on the 21st of December are the next fixtures.
The Under 16 game against Warwickshire tonight at Rugby has been called off because of a waterlogged pitch. No new date has been set for the game.
The Under 14 Boys game against Worcestershire will go ahead with a slightly later KO of 7-30 at Stafford Town FC.
With four teams still involved in National Cup competitions several fixture changes of dates and opposition have had to be made. First up are the Under 18 boys who play Cheshire in Round 2 looking for a place in the last sixteen. Staffordshire drew in a pre season friendly against Cheshire and they will be hoping for progress in a competition that they usually perform well.
The Under 16 Boys have a rematch on the 16th of December with West Midlands and they will be hoping to improve on their recent drawn game against West Midlands, a game they could have won comfortably had they put away their chances.
The Under 14 Girls will face neighbours Cheshire in their second round ti on Monday 23rd of December at Stafford Town FC.. After an excellent win against Bedfordshire in Round 1 they too will be hoping to progress to the last sixteen. Their league game against West Midlands on the 9th of December has had to be postponed as they play their second round tie in the same week.
Last but not least the Under 14 boys will meet South Yorkshire Schools on Saturday the 21st of December with a 2-00pm KO at Stafrford Town FC. They will be tough opponents having disposed of Merseyside in the first round but having a talented squad Staffordshire will be hoping to progress
Manager Bailet Evans names the squad below for the game against Warwickshire at Rugby Borough FC. KO 7-30pm
Callum Niven John Taylor Academy
Louis Pelnens Codsall
Harvey Bannister-Smith BWH
Eden Bailey Trentham
Charlie Pearsall (C) John Taylor Academy
Greg Lewis Friary
Jack Thomas King Edward VI
Keelan Summerfield Walton HS
Joe Baxter Painsley
Lewi Burnside Netherstowe
James Sutton Trentham
James May Cardinal Griffin
Joe Morley Cardinal Griffin
Morgan Payne Walton
Jake Finney
Harry Buzzard EDA
Usual dress code applies. Meet as near to 6-30 as possible.
The Under 14 Boys take on Worcestershire Boys on Monday night in their first home MCF fixture. Manager Dan Dawson has selected the squad below. Players should meet at Stafford Town for 6-00pm and the usual dress code applies. There is an admission charge of £3 adults and £2 concessions.
Travis Ziglam Moorside
Archie Carr Cheadle Academy
Thomas Taylor Chase Terrace
Archie Sage OHSSMA
Jacob Danen Chase Terrace
Joe Davies Trentham Academy
Fin Murray Wolgarston
Braden Webb Wolgarston
Dan Hughes Wolgarston
Doug Hughes Wolgarston
Lucas Sant Clayton Hall Academy
Ronny Wakelin EDA
Dillon Scott Alleynes Academy
Owen Cantrill Chase Terrace
Hayden Cordall Trentham Academy
Jharrel Williams Alleynes Academy
The opposition for the second round tie of the national competition is now known and the U14 Boys will meet South Yorkshire Schools FA at home on a date to be arranged but may be Saturday 21st of December with an afternoon kick off.This group will be busy as they also play West Midlands in the league and possibly Leicestershire before the Christmas break.
The Under 14 Girls second round National tie against Cheshire Schools FA will be played on Monday 23rd of December at Stafford Town FC KO 7-00pm. The girls will be ful lof confidence following theie excellent result against Bedfordshire and it would be a perfect Christmas present to reach the last 16.
On Monday the U16 Boys played out a 3-3 draw against West Midlands in an exciting game which ebbed and flowed throughout but Staffordshire will be aggrieved not to have collected all three points as numerous chances were spurned to put the game out of reach.The game should have given the boys confidence going into the second match against the same opposition in the ESFA national competition. Before then the side have the small matter of travelling to Rugby on Monday 25th for a match against Warwickshire who have won the league for the past two years. The game is being played at Rugby Borough FC, Kilsby Lane with a 7-30 KO. Boys should report for 6-30pm and usual dress code applies.
Manager Bailey Evans sends the information and squad for the U16 games against West Midlands on Monday 17th of November at Stafford Town FC. There will be a £3 admission charge for adults, £2 concessions.
Greg Lewis
Harvey Bannister-Smith
Joe Baxter
James Sutton
Louis Pelnens
Morgan Payne
Jake Finney
Jack Thomas
Lewi Burnside
Huw Emery
Joe Morley
Harry Buzzard
Morgan Russell
Eden Bailey
Callum Niven
Charlie Pearsall (C)
STANDBY:
Keelan Summerfield
Joseph Scriven
James May
Usual dress code applies please guys, meet at 6pm (or as near as possible) at Stafford Town.
Please, please appreciate that we now have a VERY strong and competitive squad - being on standby is absolutely no indication of poor performance, but we are very saturated in certain positions, so it’s only fair to rotate these somewhat. On that note, expect further rotation for the Warwickshire game, allowing me to make a balanced decision about a squad for the National Cup R2 game.
The Under 18 Boys began their defence of the MCF title last night with a hard fought win against West Midlands SFA. The game was played at Stafford Town FC on a clear night with a biting wind. Staffordshire played into the wind in the first half and took the game to West Midlands. Both sides played nice passing football but both lacked a cutting edge until an excellent Max Dixon through ball found Oli Waddison who although having a lot to do finished with aplomb to give Staffordshire the lead.
Oli was also responsible for the second goal when a searing burst of pace past the full back allowed him to go clear and his cut back was put into his own goal by a West Midlands defender. West Midlands were always asking questions of the Staffordshire defence and a soft penalty just before half time allowed them back into the game.
The second half ebbed and flowed with neither side able to get a grip on the game until a superb run and strike from a West Midlands forward brought parity. This seemed to be the required stimulus for the Staffordshire boys and despite losing three boys to injury during the second period Oli Puttnam responded with a solo goal immediately. As West Midlands searched for an equaliser Staffordshire sealed victory when Jack Bowater marked his debut with a goal.
The boys are next in action against Cheshire SFA in the second round of the national competition at Stafford Town FC on Monday 2nd December KO 7-00pm
The U14,15,and 16 boys were due to lock horns with Repton School in the annual triple header but the weather has intervened in the fixture for the first time. The pitches are already waterlogged and with the forecast for showers for the week with an amber warning issued for heavy rain on Thursday it was an easy decision to call off the games.
The Under 14 Girls hosted Bedfordshire girls in the first round of the National Cup Competition at Stafford Town on Saturday. In miserable conditions with a biting wind and persitant rain with the temperature just above freezing the girls from both sides served up an entertaining game for the spectators. Staffordshire dominated the first half and led through a Lottie MacMurray strike but despite plenty of possession were pegged back by Bedfordshire. Skipper Ruby Evans put Staffordshire in front with an excellent strike, a lead that they never relinquished. Both teams squandered chances but Staffordshire just about deserved their win against a resolute Bedfordshire side.
Both teams should be commended for the high standard of football in dire conditions.. Staffordshire now go forward to meet Cheshire in the second round and again this will be a home tie.
The Under 14 Boys squad for their game against Leicestershire on the 11th of November at Ellistown FC is;
Travis Ziglam Moorside
Archie Sage OHSSMA
Thomas Taylor Chase Terrace
Jacob Danen Chase Terrace
Joe Davies Trentham Academy
Ronny Wakelin EDA
Finn Murray Wolgarston
Charlie King Blessed William Howard
Dan Hughes Wolgarston
Doug Hughes Wolgarston
Lucas Sant Clayton Hall Academy
Dillon Scott Alleynes Academy
Owen Cantrill Chase terrace
Ethan Bracher Rawlett
Hayden Cordall Trentham Academy
Jharrel Williams Alleynes Academy
Stand by
Woody Ford Landau Forte Amington
Jacob Turner Trentham Academy
Braden Webb Wolgarston
Archie Carr Cheadle HS
Meet at Ellistown for 6-15/6-30. Usual dress code applies.
Under 18 Squad
George Hill Sir Graham Balfour
Anthony Sheldon Newcastle College
Carter Lycett Hednesford
Josh Lewis Codsall
Owen Turner Hednesford
Oliver Puttnam Newcastle College
Oliver Watchorn Rice Newcastle College
Oliver Waddison Codsall
Christian Blanchette Codsall
Lewis Salmon Newcastle College
Max Dixon Friary
Kyle Ashman King Edward VI Stafford
Matt Bull Newcastle College
Jack Bowman Codsall
Alex Smith Alleynes Academy
David Perreira Newcastle College
Standby
Sam Bowman Codsall
Charlie Drain Hednesford
Lewis Wilkinson Newcastle College
Callum Griffiths Newcastle College
Jay Wilkinson Newcastle College
meet at Stafford Town Fc for 6-00pm. Usual dress code applies.
Staffordshire U16 Boys travelled to Humberside with a severely depleted squad for a variety of reasons. Seven players were missing from a squad of twenty but the thirteen who were available turned in an outstanding performance. Cleethorpes on a Wednesday night would not be most folks idea of a venue for entertainment but those present at the game witnessed a performance full of class courage and outstanding effort from the Staffordshire boys.
Right from the get go Staffordahire dominated possession and caused the Humberside defence major problems with their direct pacey running as they stretched their opponents defence time and again but despite creating chances they were unable to find a finishing touch. As ever in these situations failure to take advantage of a good period of pressure came back to haunt them and in a breakaway Humberside crafted a neat finish to take the lead. Staffordshire responded with a fierce period of dominance and when the ball fell to Callum Niven he rifled in an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
1-1 at half time.
At the start of the second half Humberside had their best spell of the game but despite pumping ball after ball into the Staffordshire box from all angles and distances Staffordshire were resolute in defence and seldom looked like conceding. As the game progressed Staffordshire once again gained control and took the lead after a brilliant left wing move and Joe Morley slotted home at the back post. Staffordshire continued to search for a third goal and had two stonewall penaltys turned down and a Jack Thomas goal chalked off for offside. The referee somehow found six minutes of extra time but the Staffordshire boys held firm to progress to a second round home tie against either Oxfordshire or West Midlands.
The County Association are extremely grateful for the support of parents for transporting the boys to Cleethorpes and hope they enjoyed their day at the seaside.
On Monday evening the Under 16 Girls travel to Nottingham to take on Nottinghamshire in the first round of the ESFA national Inter County Cup. They will be hoping for a repeat of an historic win the last time they visited when a 2-1 win saw them through to the national finals.
The game will be played at Dunkirk FC with a 7-15 KO.
- Venue: Dunkirk FC, Lenton Lane, Nottingham, NG7 off the A52 (check on a map as its a quirky turn off). If you put in Sat Bains restaurant then you're nearby as it's on Lenton Lane too
Manager Kieran Newey has named the following squad for the game;
Polly Barrow
Millie Clarke
Millie Driscoll
Elise Ecclestone
Megan Gill
Harriet Grimshaw
Caitlin Hopwood
Phoebe Hopwood
Lily Jackson
Katie Moran
Erin Patrick
Jess Powis
Evie Quinn
Hannah Sparkes
Millie Smallwood
Sofia Tzima
Olivia Windsor
Players should aim to arrive an hour before KO and usual dress code applies.
Last night the Under 16 Girls travelled to Lilleshall to play Shropshire SFA in the first MCF fixture of the season. They found themselves with a 3-0 deficit at half time but a rousing second half performance saw the girls draw level only to concede in time added on to suffer the cruelest of defeats. The game will have sharpened them up for the first round of the National competition when the travel to Nottingham on the 28th of October to do battle with Nottinghamshire SFA.
The Under 18 Boys welcomed Cheshire SFA to Stafford Town FC to play a friendly match against opponents that they will meet in the second round of the national competition in December. The game ended in a 3-3 draw with both sides playing entertaining, attacking football. Staffordshire led when Max Dixon pinched the ball from a defender and cooly rounded the keeper to score. Several opportunities were spurned by both sides before Cheshire scored two goals to lead 2-1 at half time. The second half saw Staffordshire dominate for long periods and two clinical strikes from Oli Waddison put them in the driving seat.
As the game reached its conclusion Staffordshire missed a great chance to seal the win only to allow Cheshire a soft goal and a share of the spoils.
The next game is on Monday night when the Under 15 Boys are in MCF action against Warwickshire at Stafford Town FC KO 7-30pm
The Under 15 and Under 16 Boys were in action last night in friendly games against Lichfield City U16 and Stoke City Academy U15 respectively. In constant rainfall of biblical proportions both games produced some high quality football and superb entertainment for the crowd. The Under 15 Boys ran out 3-2 winners against a strong Lichfield City side with goals from Will Finlay and skipper Sol Ashworth (2 ).
The Under 16 side put on a scintillating display of high tempo and technically gifted football against a side although a year younger are at an Academy and who train three times a week. Staffordshire started well and led through a superb Harry Buzzard goal. They stretched their lead with a James May strike before a superb free kick from Stoke.Eden Bailey stretched Staffordshires lead with a wonderful goal after a brilliant piece of teamwork.
Stoke started the second half well and applied pressure on the Staffordshire defence but Joe Baxter was imperious and defensively the side looked strong. Goals from Jack Thomas and debutant Joe Morley put the icing on the cake and gives the side great confidence going into their Midland County programme.and the national cup against Humberside is on the horizon.
Special mention must go to our match officials who braved the elements in horrendous conditions and as ever we are extremely grateful for their undaunting support.
Thanks to Lichfield City and Stoke City Academy for providing us with opposition at relatively short notce and we are grateful to Leighton Thomas and Steve Travis for making the games happen.
The following players have been selected to represent Staffordshire for the forthcoming season. The coaches made some difficult decisions but were impressed with the players on display in the three trial sessions. Congratulations to those selected and commiserations to those who did not make the cut this year. It is hoped that those boys in the lower sixth will trial again next year and the Association wishes to thank all players and parents for all who trialled this year for their support and efforts, it is much appreciated,
All boys in the squad will be rquire for the first game against Cheshire on the 7th of October at Stafford Town against Cheshire Schools FA. Information will be emailed to all players.
- George Hill
- Harvey Belcher
- Josh Lewis
- Carter Lycett
- Ant Sheldon
- Owen Turner
- Matt Ball -
- Oli Watchorn Rice
- Alex Smith
- Oli Putnam
- Kyle Ashman
- Charlie Drain
- Jay Wilkinson -
- Dave Pereira -
- Lewis Wilkinson -
- Callum Griffiths -
- Christian Blanchette
- Oli Waddison
- Lewis Salmon
- Max Dixon
Standby players
Jacob Gwilt
Oli Jarvis
Sam Bowater
Jack Bowater
The teams involved in the national cups have had mixed fortunes with the draws. The Under 16 Boys face a tough task with a journey to play Humberside who always provide stiff opposition. The Under 14 Girls will host Bedfordshire in their first round match whilst the Under 14 Boys have a bye in Round 1 but will then face the winners of Merseyside or South Yorkshire in Round 2, in Staffordshire.
The Under 16 Girls will travel to meet old rivals Nottinghamshire in Round 1 and finally the Under 18 Boys have a home tie against Cheshire in Round 2 having being awarded a bye in Round 1. More details regarding dates will be posted nearer the deadlines for the matches to be played
Staffordshire School's FA, like most school's football organisations is run by a willing band of volunteers. Most have been involved in the game all of their lives and are putting back something to a game which has given them huge pleasure over the years. The age profile of the volunteers is towards the upper end of the spectrum and with that in mind we are always on the lookout for anyone who can contribute in any way.As funding from the ESFA and FA has been cut to the bone more than ever is the need for support to help keep Staffordshire SFA as a vibrant well run organisation.
Referees and assistants are always welcome. We currently have an excellent group of volunteer referees who take games for us without a fee, recognising that everyone who is at a game and those who have organised it do so for free as volunteers, and they are happy with out of pocket expenses. To a man they all agree that County football is the most disciplined football that they officiate. They enjoy the fact that the standard of play is very high but more importantly they are not hit with abuse from players or parents as we do not tolerate either from players ar parents. In the past ten years there has only been one player from Staffordshire dismissed from the field of play, something we are proud of and which we will endeavour to maintain.
If you are a referee or know of a referee who might like to join our team then please make contact through the website, you will be made more than welcome.
@staffsschoolsfa will allow all to follow what is going on and will supplement the information available on the website.
Follow the account which is being run by Under 15 team Manager Bailey Evans.